Discovered a hidden gem hotel in Shanghai with amazing value for money

Shanghai Hongta Luxury Collection Hotel experience sharing 📍 Location: 4.0/5 Situated in the heart of Pudong New District, approximately 3km from the "Three Giants" skyscrapers, 6km from the Bund, and 5km from the Oriental Pearl Tower. Perfectly balances both tourism and business needs, with the added benefit of complimentary parking for self-driving guests - very car-friendly. 🏘️ Room Type/Layout: 3.8/5 Stayed in the Executive Deluxe King Room - the 48㎡ space stands out among similar-tier hotels. Features a classic "hallway + outer bathroom, inner bedroom" layout with unique bathroom door orientation towards the bedroom. The room decor leans traditional yet maintains excellent quality, with warm-toned furnishings and dark wood furniture exuding elegant sophistication. Despite being 22 years old, the room condition remains well-preserved thanks to premium materials and meticulous maintenance, though some signs of aging in hardware are inevitable, and higher-floor room views are somewhat ordinary. 🛌 Amenities/Facilities: 3.5/5 Public areas are spacious, with a lobby showcasing distinct early-2000s design aesthetics - rich brown color scheme with grand proportions creates impressive atmosphere. Facilities include a gym, swimming pool (with limited operating hours), and tennis court (though the latter needs equipment updates). The iconic spiral staircase in the lobby remains a stunning legacy from the hotel's former St. Regis days. 🍽️ Breakfast: 3.95/5 Full buffet breakfast offers variety and quality ranking among the best in its class. Steamed dumplings and shumai are particularly outstanding, along with premium fresh-squeezed orange juice. (Note: Marriott Platinum members and above can enjoy executive lounge benefits - didn't experience due to tight schedule) 🧹 Soundproofing/Cleanliness: Standard sound insulation, while cleanliness reflects the solid foundation of established hotels - bedding and bathroom hygiene are impeccable, with thoughtful turndown service provided. 👥 Service: 3.0/5 Concierge offers basic door assistance only. Front desk operations are smooth but unremarkable. Housekeeping stands out with attentive details. Breakfast requires self-seating, and some staff appear less engaged - overall service slightly below the hotel's positioning. 💗 Additional tips: As a "Luban Award" winning project, the architecture and spatial design hold professional and aesthetic value worth exploring for engineering professionals. Rooms retain their original luxury feel that still feels relevant today. The executive lounge service sets a "benchmark" standard, with staff demonstrating deep knowledge of Shanghai's local culture and hotel history. Summary: While not the spotlight in Shanghai's luxury hotel scene, Shanghai Hongta Luxury Collection maintains its position through solid heritage. Excellent location, well-maintained hardware, and outstanding breakfast make it ideal for value-conscious travelers appreciating historical charm. Those with extremely high service expectations should consider accordingly.